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The United Kingdom has decided to send Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets and an A400M transport aircraft to Saudi Arabia to help the kingdom defend itself against attacks by Yemen's Houthis, the Ministry of Defence said in a written statement.

The aircraft will protect critical infrastructure and cities from air attacks and will operate only in a defensive role, the ministry said, adding that the deployment will also support the transport of Saudi military supplies and British military advisers.

Aircraft and advisers heading to the region

The Ministry of Defence said RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets will be deployed to the region to defend critical infrastructure and cities in Saudi Arabia against Houthi air attacks. An A400M transport aircraft will also be sent to move Saudi military supplies and to carry British military advisers who will support Saudi military officials.

The ministry stressed that the deployment backs Saudi Arabia's defensive activities. "The aircraft will take on a defensive role only and will not be involved in any attack on the Houthis," the statement said.

UK condemns Houthi actions

The ministry said the UK had previously provided Saudi Arabia with military support to defend itself. It called the Houthis' attempts to destabilise the region and undermine Middle East security unacceptable, saying these reckless steps deepen a humanitarian situation in Yemen that has already reached a destructive point. The Houthis must not succeed in ways that harm the UK's national economic and security interests, the statement said.

According to the ministry, rising violence in the Middle East and the Gulf has direct effects on the UK as well.

Defence Minister Wes Streeting's assessment

Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the Houthis continue attacks on the UK's ally Saudi Arabia, and that the targeting of the airport in Riyadh showed in particular that the Houthis want to raise tensions in the region. Streeting said the decision to send the combat aircraft was approved for that reason, adding: "RAF Typhoon jets will carry out the defensive mission of protecting Saudi airspace from drones and missiles."

In a written statement to the UK Parliament, Streeting repeated that the aircraft will go to the region to defend Saudi cities, people and infrastructure.

Extended tanker mission and shipping

Streeting said the fuel tanker previously sent to Saudi Arabia has had its mission extended by 90 days. "We support the right of Saudi Arabia and the legitimate Yemeni government to defend themselves," Streeting said, adding that the UK will not accept international shipping being threatened or held for ransom.

Key takeaways

• RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets will defend Saudi infrastructure and cities against Houthi air attacks.
• The UK says the aircraft will serve only in a defensive role and will not take part in attacks on the Houthis.
• An A400M transport plane will carry Saudi military supplies and British military advisers.
• Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the mission of a fuel tanker already in Saudi Arabia has been extended by 90 days.